Window Coverings Wholesaling in the US Industry Market Research Report from IBISWorld Has Been Updated

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During the next five years, despite higher consumer confidence, lower priced inputs and the growing value of personal homes will pressure remaining operators. For these reasons, industry research firm IBISWorld has updated a report on the Window Coverings Wholesaling industry in its growing industry report collection.

The Window Coverings Wholesaling industry has been largely characterized by a recovery in demand during the past five years. Because demand for industry services is entirely dependent upon demand for blinds, curtains, shades and drapes, industry revenue is closely linked to patterns in housing starts. When the housing bubble burst, demand for industry services plummeted as fewer people were moving into new homes that required new window coverings. However, as housing starts have grown during the past five years, window coverings wholesaling demand has slowly recovered, growing at an annualized rate.

During the five years to 2019, industry revenue is expected to recover to prerecessionary levels. According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Jocelyn Phillips, “As consumer confidence increases, private spending on home improvements is expected to rise, driving expected revenue growth during the next five years.” The world price of cotton, a major input to many industry products, is expected to fall during the next five years as well. This will provide industry firms with an opportunity to expand their average profit margins. Increasing reliance on less expensive products imported from overseas will further shore up profitability.

Nonetheless, “Profit and revenue growth will likely remain limited in the near future due to wholesale bypass, and competition from window covering manufacturers,” says Phillips. Large home furnishings chains and mass merchandisers fulfill a significant portion of downstream demand, and these giants have increasingly been able to buy in bulk and negotiate directly with manufacturers for better prices, cutting out the wholesaler's traditional role. Manufacturers can also hire their own sales teams to sell products directly to independent retail stores, further limiting market opportunities for industry wholesalers. Online commerce companies like Amazon have also made it easier for manufacturers to sell directly to customers without relying on independent wholesalers. Under these external pressures, many operators will not be able to remain competitive, and the total number of industry firms is expected to decline during the five years to 2019. Despite higher consumer confidence, lower priced inputs and the growing value of personal homes will pressure remaining operators.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Window Coverings Wholesaling in the US industry report page.

This industry includes operators that serve as intermediaries between manufacturers and retailers. Operators purchase large volumes of window covering products, including curtains, blinds and draperies, for sale to retailers.

About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.